Review: Death Valley

Usually, I’d be too ashamed to admit that I watch anything on MTV. Ever since my teenage years of TRL and Undressed, I have become increasingly wary of the horrible, evil entity that is MTV, so I’m the first to be skeptical of any of its new programming.

But Death Valley, their new television show with a taste for the macabre, is far from their usual fare. Death Valley is told through a mockumentary style, following the exploits of a police squadron in Los Angeles known as the UTF: Undead Task Force. The back-story for the show centers on a vague outbreak of supernatural phenomena that has resulted in a Death Valley with a renewed emphasis on the DEATH part. Zombies, werewolves and vampires run amuck, and it’s the job of the UTF to put these monsters down.

The brave souls at the UTF

Lovers of Reno 911 will likely be very familiar with the format, which is an even more blatant rip off than Tosh.O’s rip off of The Soup. But even if it is not thoroughly original, I’d say the format works for this show. The cast is pretty funny, especially Bryce Johnson and Charlie Sanders and who play Officers Pierce and Stubeck. Without them, the show would be way closer to mediocre.

Bryce Johnson and Charlie Sanders in Death Valley

As it is, the show is quick and quippy. Definitely DVR worthy. It boasts some pretty admirable effects, and always delivers in the gore department. For a comedy, I’ve been really impressed with the number of “eek!” moments. Also, it has plenty of eye candy in the form of Officer Rinaldi (Tania Raymonde) and Officer Johnson (Texas Battle).

But don’t let me fool you into thinking this is going to be the new Walking Dead. It’s still MTV, as good as it might be. The plots that center on the vampires are bordering on teen beat crap, and Officer Landry (Caity Lotz) is cute but painfully out of place. About 75% of the jokes land, and some are true thigh slappers, but there is the awkward moment or two here where you feel a little old for watching it. Still, if you can weather a couple of MTV moments, this is something absolutely worth your time. I question whether MTV will pick it up for a second season, so catch it before it’s gone!

A zombie explodes after too many hours in the LA sun

Monday nights on MTV @ 11pm/10c

My review: 3.5 out of 5 head shots

All photos copyright of MTV and taken from imdb.com (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1835129/mediaindex)